‘Embassy of Khalistan’ board in Surrey gurdwara: Did Canada fund extremism despite spy agency alerts?

In a baffling move, the Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in collaboration with the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Temple, has established what it calls an “Embassy of Khalistan” in Surrey, Canada.

The so-called embassy, marked by a sign reading “Republic of Khalistan,” is housed in a building on the gurdwara’s premises, which serves as a community hub for the local Sikh population.

Local residents were quoted by CNN-News18 as saying that the building hosting this controversial embassy was constructed with funds provided by the Government of British Columbia.

They further revealed that the provincial government recently allocated $150,000 to install an elevator in the same building, raising questions about the use of public funds for the site’s new purpose.

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The establishment of the “embassy” comes amid heightened concerns about Khalistani extremism in Canada.

In June, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canada’s top intelligence agency, issued a rare public statement acknowledging that “Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India.” This statement, part of CSIS’s latest annual report, has reignited debates about foreign interference and extremist activities within Canada, particularly in light of the country’s delicate diplomatic ties with India.

For years, India has voiced concerns about Khalistani extremists operating from Canadian soil.

The issue traces back to the mid-1980s when politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE) began to take root in Canada, primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs).

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These groups have sought to establish an independent nation-state called Khalistan, largely within India’s Punjab region, often through violent means. PMVE, as described by the CSIS, involves actors who plan, finance, and facilitate attacks globally to create new political systems or reshape existing ones.

The opening of the “Embassy of Khalistan” has intensified scrutiny of Canada’s role as a hub for such activities, with India repeatedly urging Canadian authorities to address the issue.